ACADEMY LOSE TO TIGERS

Posted:

29/03/2015 - 09:51

Bedford Blues Academy welcomed a Leicester Tigers Academy side, who had beaten Wales U18s and England Counties U18s in their last two games, to Goldington Road on Sunday.

The Blues took an early lead after 10 minutes but went into half time 14pts - 5 behind after a closely contested first half. Tigers’ superior pace and power saw them stretch away in the last 20 minutes to end as deserved winners by 47–5.

Bedford’s opening score was a well executed lineout drive, touched down by hooker Ben Wilkinson. Tigers came back with a close range try from England U20 prop Owen Hills, converted by fly half John Hargreaves. Leicester stretched their lead with a try from centre Quinten Koster, converted by Hargreaves to put them 14pts – 5 up at half time. The first half was interrupted for 10 minutes with a neck injury to Blues 2nd row Alex Burman who was stretchered off and taken to hospital by ambulance. Thankfully he was not badly injured and was discharged later.

Tigers scored first in the second half when a defensive error let in winger Sam Melville for a try converted by Hargreaves. Full back David Williams was next to score for the Tigers, converted by Hargreaves. With the Tiger’s power and pace beginning to tell Bedford could not cope with their support play and Tigers scored late tries from Melville, 2nd row Munraj Atwal and Hargreaves, with Hargreaves converting two to end as winners by 47pts - 5.

Bedford Academy Director, Denis Ormesher, said …

“We competed well for three quarters of the game, but we could not compete with Tigers’ power and pace in the last quarter.”

“Over the years Leicester have probably been the best U19 side in the country. With two players who played for England U20s in the Six Nations Championships this month in their pack, we had a tough challenge. We had four youngsters making their debuts for the Blues, and all did well. Playing against Leicester gives our players an idea of the standard they need to aspire to, if they want to be the best.”